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Olugbemi. Adeyinka Ogunleye
2 months ago
Overview
Agbolade Omowole: Can AI Write the Next Nollywood Blockbuster Script?
With over 2,500 films produced each year, Nollywood has become a global phenomenon, rooted in authentic African storytelling. The genre is characterised by its use of Pidgin punchlines, family conflicts and morals wrapped in melodrama. These elements are evident in films like The Wedding Party and King of Boys, which exemplify the blend of cultural richness with universal appeal. Movies like Funke Akindele‘s Everybody Loves Jenifa demonstrate what makes a Nollywood blockbuster: heart, hustle and a connection that prompts audiences to laugh, cry, and exclaim “Na so!” at the screen. Can AI replicate that magic?
Imagine asking ChatGPT to script these movies. Can it capture the real Pidgin banter, the kind of proverb an elder like Pete Edochie would use to scatter the whole place, or just that electric Owambe vibe we all know? Can AI write the next blockbuster like Funke Akindele’s billion-grossing Everybody Loves Jenifa?
I decided to test this for myself with a simple prompt to see if it could generate a typical Nollywood scene. I realised that ChatGPT and other similar large language models, like Google Gemini and DeepSeek, are adept at processing data. By feeding them various Nollywood scripts, can they generate plot ideas effectively?
I prompted ChatGPT to: “Write a scene where a Nigerian mother confronts her teenage son about sneaking out at night, using pidgin, a proverb and family dynamics.”
Here’s the result:
The room is dimly lit. A wall clock ticks past 1:00 a.m. MAMA IFEOMA, a strong, no-nonsense Nigerian woman in her late 40s, sits on a worn armchair in her wrapper and scarf. Her face is stern. The door creaks open slowly as IFEANYI, her 17-year-old son, tiptoes in, thinking he’s safe.
Mama Ifeoma:
(sternly, not looking at him)
Ify, you fit explain wetin you dey do outside by this kain time?
Ifeanyi freezes, then tries to play it cool.
Ifeanyi:
Mama… I just go meet Tunde small. We dey gist.
Mama Ifeoma:
Gist? For 1 o’clock wey owl don begin cry? You tink say I be mumu?
Ifeanyi:
(cautiously)
I no mean am like dat…
Mama Ifeoma:
Shhh! No use that your mouth wey still dey smell baby milk talk nonsense give me. You sneak out for night, comot for my house like say you be ghost. You wan turn spirit for my front?
She stands up slowly, the wrapper swaying as she approaches him.
Mama Ifeoma:
You don forget say pikin wey say im mama no go sleep, him too no go close eye. If dem carry you for night, na me dem go ask. You wan kill me?
Ifeanyi:
(sincerely)
Mama, I swear, nothing bad happen. I no go do am again.
Mama Ifeoma:
Swear no dey repair broken head. If I no catch you today, you for still dey waka upandan. You no be small boy again, yes. But until you get your own house, you go respect the roof wey dey cover your head.
She sighs, her tone softening slightly but her eyes still burning.
Mama Ifeoma:
Your papa no dey, na me and God dey raise you. I no go watch you use yourself do practice for street.
More: https://www.bellanaija.com/2025/05/agbolade-omowole-ai-nollywood-blockbuster-script/
